Derry / Londonderry

Derry-Londonderry, city of two names built, like Rome, on seven hills (though there the similarity sort of ends) has emerged from years of division and conflict as a vibrant, thriving "in" place to be and to visit. It was selected as the first UK city of culture back in 2013: a testimony to its history, its energy and the place it has carved out for itself culturally, with its wealth of museums, galleries, theatres, music venues and festivals.

For a comprehensive guide to what's going on in the city, consult the What's On guide to Derry and Strabane. Once you get to the cottage, we provide loads of updated info on what to do and see, but you might want to have a preview of the various festivals that take place in the city on an annual basis so that you can plan your stay -

But festivals aside, the city is a brilliant place to discover and, of course, to eat, drink and be merry in.﻿﻿

parking

We strongly advise you to park free of charge in Browning Drive car park, Waterside, and walk across the pedestrian Peace Bridge that links the city's east and west banks. Alternatively, use Bishop’s Street car park close to the Diamond in the historic centre of Derry – much cheaper than the multi-storey carpark at the Foyleside Shopping Centre. Though the shops open at 9am, Derry doesn’t really wake up until after 10am, so if you get there early, you’ll have no problem finding a parking space. There is a veritable murder of traffic wardens in the city so don't even try to park on a double yellow line...

tourist information

In the cottage, we provide our own visitor's guide to the area as well as brochures on what to do and where to eat. On arrival in Derry, you can also head for the Derry Tourist Information and Visitor’s Centre, 44 Foyle Street (by the river). 028 7126 7284.

history

The Tower Museum, located within the city’s historic walls at Union Hall Place, is THE place to learn about the history of the city at the start of your visit.

walls and walks

Derry is the only example in Ireland of a walled city whose fortifications have remained intact and it's considered one of the finest walled cities in the whole of Europe. The walls, all 1.5kms of them, were built between 1613 and 1618 by the Irish Society as a defence for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland. The walk around the walls takes about half an hour. It’s a great vantage point from which to discover the different landmarks that make up the city and its potent history. Panels placed at strategic points along the walls explain Derry’s troubled past, focusing on the famous siege.

Walk across the pedestrian-only Peace Bridge and you'll be able to discover the walls on the one side and St Columb's Park on the other, with its mature woodland and nature walks and outdoor play areas for children.

A little further afield, some nine miles east of Derry, is the Ness Wood and Country Park. This is a great place for a walk and a picnic. It's one of our few remaining ancient woodlands, beautiful at all times of the year and spectacular in May when the bluebells are in bloom. Walkways allow you to do easy or harder circuit walks and discover Shane’s leap – the highest waterfall in the country which plunges into the peaty waters of Burntullet river.

Guildhall

Peace bridge

St Columb's Cathedral

Hands across the divide

Places to visit in and around the city

the guildhall

You can read the
history of Derry in the famous stained glass windows of the Guildhall. Built in the late 19th century as
a seat of local government, the Guildhall was completely rebuilt after being
destroyed by fire in 1908. Today, it houses
the chambers of Derry City Council and the mayor. Entrance is free.

magee college

Founded in 1845 by Martha
Magee, Magee College
is now part of the University
of Ulster. The campus overlooks Lough Foyle and is well worth
a visit. You can simply walk around the
grounds or, if you’re a dedicated bookworm, go to the Learning Resource Centre
where the historic Derry and Raphoe Diocesan
Library is housed.

saint columb's cathedral

St Columb’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, whose facade was recently restored, is the oldest
building still standing in Derry, built in
1633. Its peal of eight bells is the oldest set in Ireland, presented by Charles 1 in 1638. The cathedral was named after the Irish saint,
Columba, who, back in the sixth century, built a Christian settlement by an oak
grove which inspired the city’s original name, Doire (Irish for
"oak"). Well worth a visit in its own
right, the cathedral also houses a small museum with a collection of historical
items from the time of the siege.

prehen house

Prehen House is on the Strabane Road, about a three-mile drive from the city centre. Once one of the great houses of Ireland, Prehen was the romantic setting for the legend of “Half-hanged McNaughton”: a house full of faded glory and haunting memories. The house and parkland are available for functions and tours by appointment and a tea room is soon to open there.

cultúrlann uí chanáin

Purpose built centre for the Irish language, arts, culture and enterprise. Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is in Saint James Street. It's beautifully designed and provides a space for Irish speakers throughout the island of Ireland and beyond.

Shopping

The Donegal Shop

Bedlam antiques market

The Yellow Yard

Derry Craft Village

Opening hours 9am-5pm – shopping centres and supermarkets open later

There are shops galore in Derry, including the usual chains and two shopping centres, Foyleside and the Richmond Centre. For those in search of local flavour, we recommend the following:

The Donegal Shop, Shipquay StreetTiny shop with very friendly service, bursting to the seams with Irish knitwear, pottery, jewellery, crafts, linens. A must for your holiday presents and souvenirs.

The Craft Village, off Shipquay StreetThis reconstruction of an 18th-century street and 19th-century square, opened by Irish President Mary Robinson in 1992, was built as part of an urban regeneration scheme. It now houses craft shops, a great second-hand book shop, a wool shop, a licensed restaurant and the Genealogy Centre, which offers a service to those tracing their ancestral roots in Co. Derry and Inishowen, Co.Donegal.

McLaughlan’s Ironmonger’s, William StreetHardware store established in the 19th century which stocks everything from toothpicks to Tilly Lamps and fine broom besoms … Great shop, great service.

Bedlam Antiques,Bishop's StreetOn the corner of Bishop's Street and London Street. All sorts of stuff you never knew you needed but suddenly long for, and a great café.

The Yellow Yard, Palace StreetBy the walls, next to St Augustine's Church on Palace Street. Open between Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 5.30pm. Vintage antiques, retro, craft market with lovely café. Lots of different units and many original purchases to be made, including books. Good bargains and good banter.